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American Spirit II - Day 77; Signted Hiva Oa; Friday, March 21, 2014



Up early (4:00 AM), due to time change. We passed thru the 135 degree West Longitude yesterday. 5:00 AM became 4:00 AM. Bright 3/4 moon overhead. Sunrise 6:11 AM. As usual, obstructed by clouds.

10:11 AM. Joel announced that he was looking at three different wave sets: NNE, SE and E. One reason boat so rocky.

Noon position: 9 degrees, 47 minutes South; 136 degrees, 55 minutes West. 125 miles to Hiva Oa.

At 4:30 PM we caught a small tuna. Too small to keep. Threw back in the ocean. Not sure if the trauma of the hook, haul out and release was too much for him or not. Rain in front and behind us. Dissipated mostly before hit us. A little mist is all we got. Just enough to force us to put up dodger winder and close hatches.

The 5:00 PM net went without incident. Fewer boats every day in the net as boats that make it to Hiva Oa drop out of the net.

Dinner consisted of ham steaks and blackened and grilled Dorade fish filet's; plus new potatoes and chilled pineapple for dessert.

Took nap from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Out cold. At 9:00 PM as watch started, lot of stars out. Moon hasn't risen yet. When the moon rose at 10:47 PM above the clouds, a halo was visible around it.

During the night, we averaged 6.2 knots, with a helping current of 1.5 knots. As the night wore on, though, the wind continued to lighten and our speed dropped to 5.5 knots.

Land Ho! Spotted outline of Hiva Oa on the starboard bow, 30 degrees, at 11:00 PM.

Brian Fox

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